So last year I was invited by the National Zoo to donate some work for a silent auction to raise money for their pandas. Here's my post from last year https://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=254275.msg2835787#msg2835787 My husband ended up driving to DC and going to the auction. We spent some time there and took loads of pictures (mostly at the zoo). I was asked to participate in the auction again this year, so I used one of my reference photos. It's 11x14 in colored pencil. It took maybe 20 hours to complete (I kind of lost count but all my free time was spent working on this for 2 weeks).

Detail of the face.

What it looked like in the 16x20 frame

I haven't heard anything about how it did at the auction, which was on Thursday. I emailed and called a couple people that were handling it but I haven't heard any word back. It would be nice to hear good news. I poured everything I had into this piece. I know that this is what I should be doing with my life, but it would be wonderful to get some reassurance that I'm on the right track. So craftsters, I'm asking if you could send me some positive vibes (or pray if you believe in it) that I hear some good news. Not just because hearing that it did well would be good for my career, but because I want to know that my art can make a difference out in this world. Thanks for listening.

This is the most adorable, beautiful picture I've ever seen. It made me a little teary eyed. The quality is astounding, and the expression on the panda's face...it tugs the heart. Truly beautiful Makes me smile inside

Thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback. I tried to capture the expression that he had in the photo. It really looked like he was smiling and it just warmed my heart.

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It's gorgeous. I get irritated when people don't use a full range of values and deep pressure with colored pencil. You captured the reflected colors in the chin fur so well. Beautiful job

Thanks CraftyMcCrafterson. I actually differed a lot from the photo. I could have gone darker, but I thought that for the drawing it probably would have been a bit better to vary from the photo. I was getting close to over working it in that area, the lead wasn't absorbing into the paper as I was layering it. I used Arches 300 lb. Hot Press Watercolor paper.

Amazing work - you are right - this is definitely what you should be doing with your life. Colored pencil has always been tricky for me so I appreciate it even more. I would be so surprised if it didn't do well - I would have been one of the first bidders!